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I am on the train from the Stockholm airport after 6 days in Zanzibar, Tanzania. These days were the kick off of a two year project, meant to bring the two communities closer to each other. Appropriate to make a short reflection over impressions so far.

Makunduchi. The leaders of Makunduchi are eager to help their villages develop. Some of these leaders work in the capital and are no longer residents. But they want to contribute and have moved to increase foreign presence. The Makundushi area has not benefitted from tourism as other areas have. The standard of living, due to lack of jobs and lower education is lower. The levels of education have to improve so that Makunduchians can get jobs. Interest and commitment from such people as Mr.Mohammed Muombwa and Mr. Abdella Ali Kombo are important. Participation from former minister for Zanzibar Mr. Shamsi Vuai Nahodha might show itself valuable being someone that moves on highest circles of political power in the country. The people of Zanzibar have a long history to relate to. The will from central government to deliver solutions transforms itself into new challenges when resources are not applied. The friendly and hospitable Zanzibarians need to see to it that their schools have toilets, running water and enough competent teachers for the many learners.

Sundsvall. With this project the municipality of Sundsvall takes part on the generous cooperation budget, that the Swedish State puts aside, to have a positive voice in the world. Why it became Zanzibar is more connected to coincidence, as contacts were established by teachers and Swedish students before we could formalise the cooperation. In order to participate on this type of project Swedish authorities require that a steering committee is elected to supervise and lead. This committee is to be formed by politicians. Local parliament (Kommunfullmäktige) chose the education committee to form this group with me as chairman.

Mr. Hans Zetterkvist, Mrs. Ina Skandevall and myself went to Zanzibar as a first delegation. We did our best to represent our Community. We saw our task not as telling our friends what to do, but rather tried to find applicable examples on how we solve political questions at home. Important in this context is history, as our people in Sweden have also been poor. This is what interchange is all about. All political parties except Sverigedemokraterna, approved our participation. Sweden Democrat’s no to this project is in itself a paradox, considering they always say that we should not allow people to come to Sweden and instead help them in their own countries. But from populist parties like this one, nothing surprises any longer. It is worse when Elin Nilsson (Moderates) herself member of the steering committee for the project, suddenly changes foot. I understand that some people think that Sundsvall politicians should not leave the municipality.When we choose to get involved in politics is beacuse we have an interest for human beings and to help get ourselves a better and fairer World. This is what first motivated me to become a member of the Social Democratic party of Sweden. And it still is.

It is my hope to engage people from the civil society of Sundsvall that aim at contributing to the same goals by helping to solve some of the vital and basic needs in the field of education in Makunduchi, such as putting a new roof in a school, help to build a toilet or drill for water.

According to right wing Sundsvall politician Elin Nilsson we are living like kings in Makunduchi. Well, everything is, of course, relative and I have small means to compare quality of hotels here on Zanzibar. If we compare with Sweden the standard of the hotel is not high.I have in my life stayed in luxury hotels. La Madrugada is not among them. It is also the hotel where our Swedish students and teachers stay when they come to Makunduchi. But what would Elin Nilsson know about that? By allowing herself to get elected to the steering committee by the municipal assembly one would have thought that she had some sort of a commitment to this type of work. But then again I was wrong…The reason why she chose not to travel here has obviously different versions, depending on the receiving end.

The electricity is now back after being down three times this evening.

Zanzibar is beautiful. Wherever we are along this island’s coasts. ..But people are extremely poor. The effort needed to raise living standards bring us back many years in the Swedish perspective. Yesterday we were invited for dinner in a typical home in Makunduchi. We sat on the floor and ate together in traditional way with our hands. Our hosts are eager to improve life here. Meeting the young people today brings hope that coming generations can get improvement to their villages by getting running water and electricity in the homes. Education for all! The meeting between our students in Sundsvall and students from here has a special importance. They are the future!

Today we are meeting the leading committee to further our discussions with themes such as history of Zanzibar, new local government act and challenges of local government. I am particularly interested to hear about the new rules and responsibilities for local governance. As it stands today municipalities have no resources and no clearly defined responsibilities.